Jennifer Lawrence Reportedly Lands 'Hunger Games' Role

Much coveted Katniss Everdeen role was cast earlier this week, according to unconfirmed reports.
By Aly Semigran

Jennifer Lawrence
Photo: Getty Images

Is the hunt for Katniss Everdeen for the big screen adaptation of "The Hunger Games" finally over?

TheWrap.com reported Thursday morning (March 17) that Academy Award-nominated actress Jennifer Lawrence ("Winter's Bone"), has landed the coveted role of the conflicted heroine from Suzanne Collins' dystopian best-seller about children forced to compete in a fight-to-the-death battle, has landed the part.

Though the rumor of Lawrence's casting has been gaining traction over the past week, this latest report sounds much more certain than most. Last week, Lionsgate denied that any casting offers had been made, but this week, the studio and the actress' rep have not responded to MTV News' request for comment on the report.

TheWrap.com claimed that the 20-year-old star got the offer on Tuesday and closed the deal the following day. There's no official word yet on whether or not Lawrence will be part of the entire franchise, which in addition to "The Hunger Games," would include its follow-ups "Catching Fire" and "Mockingjay."

The movie, directed by Gary Ross, is slated to hit theaters by March 23, 2012.

If the actress, who also stars in Mel Gibson's upcoming black comedy "The Beaver" and "X-Men: First Class," is in fact signed on to play Katniss, she will have beat out a number of other buzzed-about Hollywood starlets, such as fellow Oscar-nominees Hailee Steinfeld ("True Grit") and Abigail Breslin ("Little Miss Sunshine"), as well as Chloe Moretz ("Kick-Ass") and Kaya Scodelario ("Clash of the Titans").

"I would absolutely die to be in 'The Hunger Games,' " Breslin told MTV News, while Steinfeld told us on the red carpet of the 2011 Oscars that she had met with Ross about the role.

Meanwhile, the casting for Katniss' love interests Gale and Peeta still remains a mystery. Alex Pettyfer ("I Am Number Four"), Josh Hutcherson ("The Kids Are All Right") and fan-favorite Hunter Parrish ("Weeds") have all been in contention for the role of Peeta Meelark.

Do you think Jennifer Lawrence is the right choice to play Katniss Everdeen in "The Hunger Games"?

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1660109/hunger-games-jennifer-lawrence.jhtml

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